Interpreting The Bible

Questions for you today surrounding Biblical interpretation:

What must one consider when interpreting the Bible?

What must one guard against when interpreting the Bible?

What in our culture works for proper Biblical interpretation? What in our culture works against proper Biblical interpretation?

Can one know what the “Bible says”?

The Bible In Our Life

The Bible is present in every courtroom and every presidential inauguration taking on an “iconic” status, while serving as the foundational book for those of the Christian faith. Further, within the Christian framework there are those who uphold a venerated view of the Bible (without error, without question, literal in every way) while others in the faith take a different posture. These differing views of the Bible lead to a varying array of practices reflected in both our personal living and our corporate politics. Over the centuries perhaps no other book as been used and abused than that of the Bible. It has been used to both defend the institution of slavery in the United States while at the same time serving as a beacon of hope for those looking for freedom from such an oppressive system.

In “The Bible in America” Nathan Hatch and Mark Noll write: “…Scripture has been nearly omnipresent in the nation’s past…however, the actual use of the Bible in American life has been attended with considerable complexity and decided ambiguity.”

Because of this I would like to have some conversation (over several blog posts) that revolve around the Bible; how we use/misuse it; its impact on our life/politics; and the message it brings.

Where do you see the Bible’s impact on our culture (either positive or negative)?

Context (Philemon: A Response Of Hope pt.1)

This past Sunday Renovate began a teaching series on the book of Philemon. While this letter only takes up 3/4 a page in the Bible, there are some significant issues and themes that rise to the surface.

Written by Paul around 61 AD this letter regards the return of a run-away slave (Onesimus) to his slave owner (Philemon). In this letter Paul advocates for Onesimus' safe return and reception into Philemon's household.

At first glance this letter seems to affirm the unjust system of human slavery (Paul's words in other portions of the Scriptures also seem to advocate slaves submitting to their masters - 1 Tim. 6:1). In fact, over the course of America's history, some preachers in the south used the book of Philemon (and other portions of Scripture) to affirm the practice of slavery. Those preachers claimed that they're "just doing what the Bible says" and what Paul preached.

It is easy to see today that the practice of slavery is of the worst kind of evil and hated by God, yet this letter brings up an important question: "How do we read and interpret the Bible?" (listen to this past week's Renovate podcast). Is living out the commands of Scripture as simple as: "God said it, I believe it, that settles it?"

Many would claim to live a life "according to what the Bible says", so then why do we choose to follow some things (not murdering is a good idea) but not others (anyone else with tattoos?).

How should one read, interpret, and follow the Bible? What is the harm if we misunderstand the words and the intent written?